CBD For Dogs: Everything You Need To Know

With the rise in popularity and increased conversation surrounding CBD for dogs, there are few things that pet owners must look out for. There are pros and cons associated with the new demand for medicinal holistic alternatives.

CBD For Dogs

The good news is that CBD products are available for pets. A mere five years ago, CBD wasn’t a conversation that so many people in different parts of the country were having. With products available, it means more people and animals benefiting from all that CBD has to offer.

The not-so-good news is that with this popularity comes copy-cat companies and manufactured products that are not up to the appropriate standards. This is unfortunate for more reasons than a waste of money. When people purchase CBD for dogs that is sub-par quality, their pets don’t reap the benefits and they don’t see the expected results. More often than not, the dog owner will resort back to conventional, potentially harmful medications to treat their fur baby.

Thankfully, there are a number of ways to ensure that you are purchasing the best CBD products available.

All Natural

First, you’ll want to make sure that the CBD for dogs is all natural. If it’s not, the herb was likely treated with pesticides, fungicides or solvents. When you think about, these chemicals completely negate the purpose of CBD. The objective for pet owners of choosing CBD is that it is a natural alternative to the chemicals and adverse reactions of conventional drugs. Additionally, the CBD for dogs should be free of soy and non-GMO.

Lab-tested

You’ll also want to make sure that the CBD for dogs has been lab-tested. Any reputable company should easily be able to provide a Certificate of Analysis. A Certificate of Analysis is a professional document that proves the CBD has been lab-tested and shows the consumer exactly how much CBD is in the product. There are some companies that are selling oils and treats with very small traces of CBD. However, they are branding these products as being CBD oil and CBD treats. Are they lying? Not necessarily. But are these products ultimately going to help your pup? It’s not likely. With a Certificate of Analysis, pet owners can ensure they are purchasing a great product.

Derived From the Hemp Plant

Next, confirm that the CBD for dogs is derived from the hemp plant. This won’t be an issue for most countries, but there are CBD products derived from the marijuana plant. Of course, these products are only available where marijuana has been legalized. However, marijuana products can be incredibly harmful to Fido. CBD derived from hemp has no more than 0.3% THC and is completely safe for your pup.

You Get What You Pay For

When it comes to CBD, you truly get what you pay for. You will likely see products online that are marked at a much lower price point than others. A good rule of thumb is that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. With that said, even top of the line CBD products shouldn’t break the bank. In fact, it should cost around $2 a day for your dog to reap the benefits of CBD oil. Companies like Honest Paws offer such products for dogs.

Types of CBD

Speaking of oil, there are different ways that pet parents can integrate CBD products into their dog’s life.

CBD Oil

A common way for dog owners to introduce CBD products is through CBD oil. The oil comes in tincture form with a dropper that allows pet parents to have total control over just how much CBD their dog is receiving. The CBD oil is safe enough to administer it directly into the dog’s mouth or it can be mixed into their food or placed on top of their favorite treat.

CBD Treats

Pet parents may also opt for CBD treats. The treats are great because they can either be used for overall wellness or you can purchase treats that are specifically formulated for your dog’s individual needs.

The Best CBD: A Final Thought

At the end of the day, you want what’s best for your dog and choosing all natural alternatives is a great first step. Keeping that in mind, make sure you’re doing all you can to buy the best natural alternative possible in order to ensure Fido is reaping all the benefits that CBD can offer.

Chelsea Rivera is a pet wellness blogger based in Los Angeles, CA. She is the Head of Content at Honest Paws, a company that offers dog owners a wide variety of CBD oil and CBD pet treats! Regardless of your pet’s ailment or size, Honest Paws offers a CBD-based remedy. In addition to working for Honest Paws, Chelsea spends her days getting bossed around by her 5 lb. Maltipoo, Baby Rose, and trying to catch up on emails. Follow Honest Paws on Facebook or Instagram @honestpawscbd.

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